Category

Science

30/06/2021
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How Are Samarium Cobalt Magnets Made?

Samarium cobalt magnets are widely produced and the permanent magnets are primarily made up of samarium and cobalt but some grades will also contain varying small amounts of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr) and praseodymium (Pr). A number of common manufacturing processes can be used to produce samarium cobalt magnets but typically, a method of reduction and melting is used followed by a process of bonding or sintering the raw material to form the magnet. Bonded Samarium Cobalt Magnets . . Step 1 – Heated Firstly, the... Read More

29/06/2021
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How are Ferrite Magnets made?

The process for manufacturing ferrite magnets, also known as ceramic magnets, is not as costly or sophisticated as producing rare-earth neodymium magnets. The chemical compound of ferrite magnets is SrO-6 (Fe2O3), a combination of strontium carbonate and iron oxide. Due to their chemical make-up it means they are extremely resistant to demagnetisation through heat and corrosion, although, like neodymium magnets they are very hard and brittle. Step 1 – Calcination The production of ferrite magnets begins with calcining a finely powdered mixture of iron oxide and strontium carbonate to produce... Read More

28/06/2021
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How are Neodymium magnets made?

Neodymium magnets are technological marvels and the process for creating them is sophisticated and delicate. The main ingredients of a neodymium magnet are neodymium itself, iron, and boron; the chemical compound known as NdFeb. The exact ingredients depend on the grade or strength of magnet being produced. However, the production process for different strength magnets sees the same size different stages required to produce a neodymium magnet. . Step 1 – The Mix Firstly, all the elements to make the chosen grade of magnet are placed into a vacuum induction... Read More

25/06/2021
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How are Sintered Alnico Magnets made?

Alnico magnets have now been manufactured for over 100 years, in which time the process has not drastically changed. Alnico magnets are permanent magnets that are primarily made up of a combination of aluminium, nickel and cobalt but can also include copper, iron and titanium. In this blog we will be explaining the manufacturing process of Sintered Alnico magnets, smaller Alnico magnets, weighing grams rather than kilograms are usually created using the sintering process. Sintering is generally the process used when a high volume of magnets are required. . . Step 1... Read More

24/06/2021
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How are Cast Alnico magnets made?

Alnico magnets have now been manufactured for over 100 years, in which time the process has not drastically changed. Alnico magnets are permanent magnets that are primarily made up of a combination of aluminium, nickel and cobalt but can also include copper, iron and titanium. In this blog we will be explaining the manufacturing process of Cast Alnico, a larger Alnico magnet weighing tens of kilograms which will nearly always be produced by casting. Step 1 – Foundry Furnace Each grade of Alnico has a special recipe in terms of... Read More

17/06/2021
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What metals do magnets attract to?

Several customers will contact our team of experts to enquire about what materials will our magnets stick to, as magnets will not stick to all metals. Understanding what metals are magnetic and then learning which metals are best for use in your applications is important. So, here at FIRST4MAGNETS we have decided to show you what magnets will and won’t stick to and explain the reasoning behind these answers. Metals that attract to magnets Metals that naturally attract to magnets are known as ferromagnetic metals; these magnets will firmly stick... Read More

02/06/2021
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How is the strength of a magnet measured?

When considering the ‘strength’ of a magnet there are several key measurements that all contribute to a magnet’s strength in different ways, which can be a little confusing. Also, when trying to determine or measure a magnets strength the answer will be dependent on what is meant by strength be it either the pulling force or magnetic field strength, which are both often referred to as strength. So below we will describe each attribute that contributes to a magnets performance and in turn answer the question how is the strength... Read More

19/05/2021
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Make learning fun with Magnets

Magnetics is a part of all children’s education and Alnico magnets are extremely popular in schools due to their easy handling and much safer risk compared to Neodymium magnets. However, outside of the classroom magnets can also be a key part in some children’s toys here at FIRST4MAGNETS we have a range of toys and accessories that are perfectly suitable for children and that is thanks to their magnetic properties. So, we have decided to put a list together of our top child friendly products below. Tangram Magnets The highly... Read More

12/05/2021
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What material is best for shielding a magnet?

Shielding a magnet or attempting to block a magnetic field is a subject that several of our customers approach our experts with on a regular basis, so we decided to examine what materials can be used to shield a magnet. Before learning how to shield a magnet it’s important to know that magnetic shielding does not block a magnetic field. No material can stop the lines of flux from travelling from a magnet’s north to its south pole. However, it can be redirected. The simplest example of this would be... Read More

05/05/2021
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What reduces a magnets performance?

All magnets have a ‘pull’ rating measured in kilograms which relates to how much force acting perpendicular to the magnet to pull the magnet from a steel plate, when in direct contact. The ‘pull’ rating is obtained and calculated under ideal conditions such as a thick enough steel plate which is perfectly flat and clean. As the pull force is slowly steadily increased and is absolutely perpendicular to the magnet face. However, in real world applications, perfect conditions are unlikely and there are six main factors which could affect and... Read More